Operating device for steel hatch-covers



Aug. 28, 1956 H. KUMMERMAN OPERATING DEVICE FOR STEEL HATCH-COVERS Filed March 5, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 lir irlokb l/Vl/E'IVTOR HENRI KUM/WEFMH/V By 4-! ATTY$.- f

Aug. 28, 1956 Filed March 3, 1952 H. KUMMERMAN OPERATING DEVICE FOR STEEL HATCH-COVERS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVE/ll TOR HE 1W?! HUM/V1 ERMA/V 5y z zz rm am ATTKS'.

Aug. 28, 1956 H. KUMMERMAN 2,760,459

OPERATING DEVICE FOR STEEL HATCH-COVERS Filed March 3, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 B wmi zy United States Patent -Seine, France This invention relates to improved devices for operating steel hatch-covers or similar structures and has particular reference to a hatchway closing device consisting of a plurality of sections adapted to be rolled along the hatchway coaming edges and to be stowaged preferably in a vertical position at one end of the hatchway, these sections being interconnected either hingedly or through chain or cable means.

The hatch-covers to which reference is made herein may optionally be of the type described in U. S. A. Patent No. 2,641,214.

The device of the present invention is characterised in that it consists of cables, chains or similar means disposed along the edge or edges of the hatchway, parallel to the direction of movement of the cover sections, and actuated by at least one electromotor in two opposite directions, the aforesaid chains or cables being attached to the hatch section or cover remotest from the stowage end of the hatchway.

According to another feature of the invention the said cables or chains are disposed on either side of the hatchway so that the hatch section or cover attached thereto will be acted upon on either side.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent by reference to the following description and accompanying drawings wherein one possible embodiment of the invention is illustrated by way of example. In the drawings:

Figure l is a diagrammatical longitudinal section of a hatch-way provided with the device according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a plane view of same;

Figure 3 shows on a greater scale a detail of one mounting of a sheave;

,Figures 4 and 5 illustrate on a still greater scale details or the winding barrels;

Figures 6 and 7 are views corresponding to Figs. 1 and 2 respectively, showing a modified embodiment of the device according to the invention;

Figures 8 and 9 are an elevational view and a plane view respectively showing the manner in which the rocker arm is fixed to a hatch cover section.

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, there is shown a hatchway 1 adapted to be closed by means of a set of hatch-cover sections 2, 3, 4, 5 of the type disclosed in the abovementioned Patent No. 2,641,214. According to this patent the sections are independent of one another provided with rollers or wheels so that they can roll along the hatchway edge and with pivot means 6 which, by engaging adequately shaped guide rails 7 cause the sections to be rocked into a vertical stowage position at one end of the hatchway. These sections are interconnected through chain or cable means 8. As a result when the section 2 (that is, the remotest from the stowage end of the hatchway) is pulled in one or the other direction the whole section or hatch-cover assembly will be moved, thereby opening or closing the hatchway 1.

Patented Aug. 28, 1956 Of course, the same result would be obtained with hingedly interconnected sections.

Along the edge (and preferably along both edges) of the hatchway which is (are) parallel to the direction of movement of the sections, cables or chains 9, it are provided as shown diagrammatically in the drawings.

With reference more particularly to Figs. 1 and 4, the cable or similar member 9 runs over a barrel 11, along the hatchway, over a reversing sheave 12, then again along the hatchway and is finally wound on a winding barrel 13.

One of the barrels (for example 11) is rotatably fast with a shaft 14 operatively connected with a source of power, for instance a motor 15 (Fig. 2). The other barrel 13 may be driven by the first barrel 11 for instance as shown in Fig. 4 by means of gears 28, 29 and 30.

Figs. 1 and 3 illustrate one possible manner of resiliently mounting the reversing sheave 12. In this embodiment the sheave 12 is mounted for loose rotation on a lever 16 pivotally mounted at 17 and attached at 19 to a fixed point 18 through a spring or similar resilient member 20 having its free end fixed to the lever 16 opposite to sheave 12.

Fig. 5 illustrates a modified embodiment of the barrel assembly 11, 13. wherein the barrels are arranged in sideby-side instead of superimposed relationship. In this case an endless chain or cable 10 may be resorted to. This arrangement is exemplified at B, Fig. 2, for comparison with the first embodiment shown at A in which superimposed barrels are used.

The hatch-cover section 2 which is the farthermost section from the stowage end of the hatchway is connected, through a rocker arm 23 or similar member fast therewith (for instance by welding), with the operating cable 2 or like transmission means. In the example of Figs, 8 and 9 this arm 23 is formed with a hole 24 having fitted therein a ring or similar link 25 to which are anchored both sides of the cable or chain 9 (10).

The rollers for supporting the hatch-cover sections during their rolling movements to and from their open or closed position are shown at 26 and 27. Any suitable device (for instance a limit-switch, etc.) for stopping the motor 15 may be placed on the hatchway edge in order to stop the motor when the opening or closing movement is or about to be terminated. This device is not illus trated as it is not within the scope of the invention and may be of any convenient description.

It will readily be seen that the cable or chain will easily and rapidly move the section 2 in one or the other direction for opening or closing the hatchway. The other sections 3, 4, 5 will follow the section 2 in this movement. The scope of the provision of springs or similar resilent members 20 is to equalize the hauling tensions applied on either sides A and B to the section 2. Preferably, the cables or chains will be positioned at a level beneath the upper edge of the hatchway coaming in order to avoid wrong operations or undue interferences.

Figures 6 and 7 show a modified embodiment wherein the motor 15 is placed at the end of the hatchway which is opposed to the stowage space. In this case the positions of sheaves 12 and barrels 11, 13 are reversed.

It will be obvious for anybody conversant with the art that the device according to this invention renders it possible to avoid the conventional use of mastor derrickmounted operating cables, thereby improving the rapidity and simplicity of the maneuvering.

Of course, the invention is not restricted to the embodiment shown and described herein which are only given by way of illustrative examples.

What I claim is:

1. Hatchway closing mechanism comprising a hatchway and a coaming surrounding said hatchway, hatch covv1.9 ers of the type including a series of individual "sections having lateral sides rolling on the lateral sides of the coammg of the hatchway, and interconnected by flexible means, rollers on the lateral'sides of said section's, substantially horizontal guide ways on the lateral sidesfof the coaming, a stowage space on one end atleast of, said hatchway locating the difierent vertically stappled sections, flexible pulling means extending along at least one side; of said coaming, arm means on the lateral sides of the section which is therernotest from the stowage space when the hatch is closed connecting said section with said pulling means, Winch means operatively connected to said pulling means at one end of said hatchway, reversingguiding sheavemeans supporting the remote end of said pulling means at the opposite end of said hatchway, lever.

means-pivotally'securedto the remote end 30f said hatch and pivotally carrying said sheave means, and aresilient member urging the said lever and sheave in a direction ensuring the tightening of said pulling means.

2. Hatchway closing mechanism comprising a hatchwayl and a coamingsurrounding said hatchway, hatch covers of the type including a series ofindividual sections having lateral sides rolling on the lateral'sides of the'coaming of the hatchway, and interconnectediby flexiblemeans, roll ers on the lateral: sides of said sections, substantially hora stowage space on one end at least of said hatchwa'y locating the difierent vertically stappled sections, flexible pulling means extending along at least one side of said coaming, arm means on the lateral sides of the section hatch is closed connecting said section with said pulling iz ontal guide ways on the lateral sides of the coaming,

At. which is the 'remotest"from the stowage space when the means, winch means operatively connected to said pulling means at one end of said hatchway, reversing guiding sheave means supporting the remote end of said pulling means at the opposite end of said hatchway, lever means pivotally secured to the remote end of said hatch and pivotally carrying said sheavemeans, and a resilient membervurgingthe, said lever and sheave in aidirectionrensun 1- ing the tightening of said pulling means, said armlike means consisting of a main body having'two ends one end'being secured to the relevant section, a hole on the opposite end and a link member freely located in said hole and secured to said pullin'g means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

